Ground Beef and Pasta Casserole with a Twist

Elevate your weeknight dinners with this irresistible Ground Beef and Pasta Casserole with a Twist! This hearty, family-friendly dish combines tender pasta, savory ground beef cooked with smoky paprika and oregano, and a rich tomato sauce, layered with a creamy spinach and cream cheese mixture for a surprise burst of flavor. Topped with melty mozzarella and sharp cheddar cheese, this baked casserole achieves the perfect balance of indulgence and comfort. Ready in just 60 minutes and serving up to six, it’s an easy-to-make yet crowd-pleasing recipe that’s ideal for busy weeknights or weekend gatherings. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and dig into a cheesy, bubbly masterpiece! Keywords: ground beef casserole, pasta bake, creamy pasta casserole, family dinner recipes, easy weeknight meals.

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 15 ounces canned diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 12 ounces short pasta (penne or rotini)
• 4 cups baby spinach
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 0.5 cup water
• 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.

Step 4

Add the garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute or until fragrant.

Step 5

Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat.

Step 6

Stir in smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to season the beef evenly.

Step 7

Add the canned diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and water to the skillet. Stir to combine and let simmer for 5-7 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Remove from heat.

Step 8

In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese and baby spinach. Stir until the spinach is evenly coated in the cream cheese.

Step 9

Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread half of the cooked pasta in the bottom of the dish.

Step 10

Layer the beef and tomato sauce mixture over the pasta.

Step 11

Spread the spinach and cream cheese mixture evenly on top of the beef layer.

Step 12

Add the remaining pasta on top as the next layer.

Step 13

Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly over the top layer, followed by the shredded cheddar cheese.

Step 14

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Step 15

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.

Step 16

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Step 17

Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired, and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2046.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3486.1

Total Fat 237.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 109.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.3g
Cholesterol 696.7mg	0%
Sodium 5585.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 161.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.5g	0%
Total Sugars 29.2g
Protein 184.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 2516.4mg	0%
Iron 19.4mg	0%
Potassium 2780.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 60.7%

Protein: 20.9%

Carbs: 18.4%